Wednesday, July 21, 2010

A Visit to Dublin, Ireland by Way of The Play Date Cafe




It's my turn to host the 'color story' again this week at
The Play Date Cafe Challenge
and this is one that I am really excited about!


This is one of my favorite places on Earth!
No...not just Ireland.
No...not just Dublin.

The photos you see are of the lovely
Russell Court Hotel
on Harcourt Street in the
Heart of Downtown Dublin.

Paul and I stayed there just over 20 years ago
and it is probably the place we talk most often
and most fondly about.
Ireland is fond to my husband's heart as well
because both his mother and father are from
Northern Ireland...it confuses people quite often
when my husband Paul, who is British tries to explain
that he has Irish parents : )

Back to Dublin.....

Not much has changed over the years...
It's still as beautiful as ever.
The card I chose to make was not intentional,
but in the end, it certainly speaks to how I feel
about this wonderful place...


The stamps that I used for sentiment and for the designs
around the clock are from Ippity Stamps 'Now and Always' set.
Again, how apropos is that??!!

The clock was cut from the DCWV 'At Home' Stack.
The papers that make up the 'wallpaper' are from
the same DCWV and The Paper Company.
I used Spellbinder's 'Labels 9' for my die.

Here is a close-up of the clock so you can see the subtle
stamping I did using these wonderful Ippity stamps.


I used Ranger Adirondack Ink in Mushroom.

If there was ever a week to play...
This one is it!

Ippity's parent company, Unity Stamps is
our sponsor this week and there is
$75 worth of stamps sets up for grabs to
the most creative entry this week!

Unity Design Team Member and one of
Paper Crafts Magazine's 'Go-To Gals'
Maren Benedict
is our Celebrity Guest Designer.

So what are you waiting for?

Oh...well I know it's to leave me a comment...
but get going...and git er done!
See you soon and enjoy your trip!



32 comments:

Lisa Somerville said...

Wonderful way to incorporate the Ippity stamps behind your clock! Love the sentiment, beautiful card!

Suzi B said...

Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blog.. I've become a follower of your blog and know I'm going to enjoy popping over to see you :)

Love the colours for this week ... your card is gorgeous.

Lynn Stevens said...

Stunning card Julie!

Sara said...

Hermosa la tarjeta !!! la familia de mi esposo es Irlandesa, él a ido yo no, pero me gustaría mucho, dicen que hermosa.

Suzanne C said...

Love your story about the pictures. So sweet and then you follow it up with a beautifully elegant card to go with your story!!! Lovely!

Sarah Anderson said...

This card made me 'warm and fuzzy' inside, a bit sentimental I know but it just fits your story beautifully, especially the image and the sentiment. Love, love, love that black and white flower dp :)

Emily Keaton said...

Wow, great colors for the PDCC39 challenge this week, Julie! I can hardly wait to get started. Love your card AND your story, too :)

Andrea Ewen said...

Julie your card is absolutely beautiful! I love that vintage look with the lace and the pearls, exactly my style. Super pretty!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

OH WOW---this card turned out BEAUTIFUL! I looooooooooove it! I really like that image (can you teach me how to use my die cut system? Or bring yours!!!). I LOOOOOOVE these colors and that you got Unity/Maren to work with us! LOOOOOOOVE THE PDCC! You are amazing!!

Tenia Nelson said...

This card is soooooo gorgeous!!!!

Unknown said...

Just lovely, Julie! Such a sweet and wonderful story behind the color story.. all leading up to this gorgeous creation.. LOVE it!

Lin said...

How lovely! I adore the toile-like stamping you did here. Thanks for showing the beautiful pictures of the hotel. Have never been to Ireland, but it's on my bucket list, along with Scotland, where my Dad's family came from.

1CardCreator said...

That is such a lovely card,I love those colors,and the image is beautiful! Thanks for sharing. ~Diane

AJ said...

LOVE your card- I so want to go to Ireland someday- it's on my bucket list for sure-

Sal-Gal said...

Really love your beautiful card - it's stunning and it was a lovely story behind it. Well Done!
Sal xx

Lisa Somerville said...

Sweet memories and a FAB card!

Gerrie Johnnic said...

Sweet memories and a FAB card!

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Thanks Julie, for mentioning my card, I did grab the "cream of our coffee" badge last night, but just having problem to alight them, any tips on how to get that straighten?
Thanks for the fun at the cafe, I do enjoy playing here!

Esther said...

Thanks so much for the mention of my entry and the 'Cream in our coffee' badge. Thanks for following my blog too, am a newbie to blogging and very excited to get mentions and followers...Loving the colours for this challenge, Ireland is one of my favourate places in the world and have many happy memories of Dublin, definately try and find time to join in this one...thanks Esther x

Gayle Page-Robak said...

These are absolutely fabulous colors, Julie...I really love them. Great choice and your artwork is gorgeous, as always. Hugs, Gayle.

Mona Pendleton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mona Pendleton said...

Great card Julie & sweet story! Love that big standup clock! I can hear it chimin' away!

peggy gatto said...

lovely julie!!!
It is a wonderful serene colors choice.!!!

Jenny said...

Such a pretty card, love this!!! :) :) :) :) :)

Ruby said...

This is such a pretty card! I love how you've used the stamps for the subtle background, really effective! That clock is fab too! My Mum is from Dublin so I share your fondness of it! Fantastic having Unity on board at the PDCC this week! :o)

Colleen Dietrich said...

Julie, GREAT color combo! I am too excited to give it a try. You lucky duck, having been to Ireland. I hope to go someday.

And thanks for my badge for last week's challenge! I am so proud!

Craft Addicts - Tracy Evans said...

What a stunning card, I love the image and the sentiment. Works so well with this weeks colour challenge which I love. Such calming colours, love them. Tracy Evans x

~Tammy~ said...

I just loved everything about this card! Love the detail of that clock! Great work!!! Sweet story behind the card! Just started the blog not long ago, so I am really enjoying taking part and I am glad I got to play in the PDCC!
~Tammy~

Jan Hennings said...

beautiful card and great challenge! A few years ago my Mom went to Ireland and I scrapbooked her trip...some beautiful sites for sure! Did you visit the Blarney Stone??

Sue Lelli said...

I can tell by this card that you truly LOVE this hotel! Your card is simply STUNNING! I LOVE the colors this week! LOVE the colors this week.

Natalie said...

Wonderful card to go along with the precious memory you and your dh share! I would love to go to Ireland someday, my dh's grandfather was from there. His pictures remind me of a squatty little leprecaun!

Sarah Feeney said...

Great card Julie! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving such lovely comments! :)